Vaccination and health

Vaccination to Indonesia is recommended, but not obligatory.  It is advisable to get vaccinated against TYPHOID FEVER and JAUNDICE. In the Czech Republic, you can get vaccinated against these diseases at any regional hygiene station. You do not have to be afraid of malaria neither on Nusa Penida Island, nor on the boat, as there are no mosquitos. However, it is advisable to take antimalarial pills (if possible, not Lariam). We also recommend using an insect repellant. Take the basic medicine and antibiotics with you. If you regularly use some medicine, inform the guide.

Finances

The Indonesian currency is a rupee. The best exchangeable currency for you is EUR or USD. The current exchange rate is: 1 EUR = 13.250 Rp and 1 USD = 9.100 Rp. It is problematic to exchange dolar bills of the 1996 series. It is not necessary to take small change, as they will change even larger banknotes for you. In Bali, it is even possible to withdraw money from the cash dispenser, but not on Nusa Penida or on Komodo.

Weather and water

The rain season in Indonesia lasts from November to March. In this time, also the currents change. It rains more often in the rain season, mainly in the afternoon and in the evening.

The underwater visibility does not get markedly worse either on Nusa Penida or on the Komodo Islands as there are no rivers that would bring mud and suspended loads into the sea. The dry season lasts from April to October. Nevertheless, even in April and sometimes in May, it rains from time to time. Rarely, there are rainfalls in June. Then the dry season gets to its climax, the country gets a brownish-yellow colour and only bushes and cocopalms stay green. In this season, also deep-seated water and surface water swap in the surroundings of Nusa Penida, and the season of cold water and ocean sunfish comes. In extreme cases, water temperature can even fall down to 15°C, but normally it moves around 20 – 25 °C. In this season, the visibility is the best, in ideal conditions as many as 40 m. A diving suit 5 mm thick and a diving hood are recommended for diving in this season. At night, the climate gets very comfortable for sleeping.

Crime rate

There is no need to be afraid of any criminality on Nusa Penida. The same is true for the ship SEA LADY and the rainforest on Sumatra. 

Health service and insurance

The basic health care on Nusa Penida is sufficient; the local health facility and stuff are able to treat, sew up and solve some minor wounds and problems requiring medical interventions. We solve more serious problems in Bali, in a renowned international hospital Surya Husada which offers a premium service. This hospital can provide even emergent air transports. The nearest oxygen hyperbaric chamber is in Denpasar, Bali in Sanglah state hospital and another in Kupang on West Timor (for the area of Alor). Oxygen masks with oxygen, as well as medicine chest, are prepared in case of need both on Nusa Penida, and on the board of SEA LADY.

Each visitor taking part in the MMDiving programme, the programme on SEA LADY or in the rainforest, is obligated to have travel insurance. Moreover, divers have to be insured even for diving.

Telephone signal and the internet

There are no problems with the signal either in Bali or on Nusa Penida. However, on the Komodo Islands, you will catch the signal only on the first day and on the last day of the cruise. In Sumatran rainforest, you will catch the signal on the two first days. Internet connection is, in this area, to be found only in Bali.

Night life

There is, of course, no big-city bustle and no night life either on Nusa Penida, the Komodo Islands or in Leuser NP. Hilarious sprees and night diversion in form of discos and bars are to be found only in Bali.